The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-12-29

law, declaring them unworthy of trust and
confidence because their fathers and mothers
are charged with what we regard as objection
able relations and unsound religious opinions.
Senator Stewart opposed the printing of the
memorial in the Record, because it would raise
false hopesin Utah, and be construed into an ex-
preston Of opinion that it is possible now to gain
admission as a State. 1t is very unfortunate for
Utah that she is in the condition she is. She
is governed by a close corporation and hIerar-
chy. There is no such thing as freedom. Free
schools, as we understand them, do not exist.
Everything is made subservient to the political
organization known as the Mormon Church.
Polygamy is but an incident.
Senator Call deprecated any discussion IN re-
gard to what Utah is or rs not. HerpeOple deny
the statement of the Senator from Nevada.
They ask the poor privilege of being heard
and allowed to prove their true status, and not
TO be condemned in advance.
Senator Call after some further remarks, in
which be claimed that he was opposed to po-
lygamy and all forms Of superstition, said that
having had the memorial read he would now
withdraw the resolution.
In the Senate Senator Allison proposed that
the Senate proceed to the consideration
of the resolution adjourning Congress to We'd
nesday, Jan. 4.
Senator Plumb objected TO the resolution be-
cause he thought that the Senators should not
make haste to get away from the discharge OF
public duties. This session will continue until
the dog-days, greatly to the discomfort OF
Members of Congress, and during the latter
part of the session the country viii be in the
midst of the Presidential canvass, which will
distract the attention of the Senators from the
discharge of their duties. Consequently, he
did not believe in adjourning over the holt
days. This is the time of year when they
could best do the business they had come to DO
The primary responsibility for the present con-
dition Of the Treasury rests with the Presl-
dent. He has chosen to totally disregard the
law which authorizes and practically requires
him to spend the money in1the Treasury be-
yond the needs of the Government for current
administration in the payment or purchase of
the National debt.
Senator Plumb proceeded to say that the
President thinks he knows more about this
matter than Congress does, aud he cares moth
ing for the existence or non-existence of stat
Ete. If other Presidents had done what he had
done there would have been talk Of impeaeh-
ment on one side of the Chamber. He accused
the Administration of not only refusing to pur-
chase bonds, but Of depositing $40,00O,00O OF
! the alleged surplus with the National banks, to
be lent by them to the people, thus using 1t to
swell the profits of the banks, and instead of
paving it out of the bonded debt, saving the
1 Governments interest and giving the people
money without price. He placed the cost of
this to the people at between three and four
million dollars year, and claimed that the
banks were enriched to that amount. Senator
Plumb attazaas she President also on account
| of the failure of the River aad Harbor Bill to
become a law, and also the Deficiency bill,
which would have taken about $20,000000 out
of the Treasury TO pay the just obligations OF
| the Government Ii the President had been
] ! l. L ~. w,l
millions more would have been paid out TO dis
abled ex-Union soldiers justly entitled to the
same, if he had signed the disabled soldiers
/ pension bill passed at the last session Of Con-
( gress. The Senator proceeded to attack the
Administration on the ground that it had eyes
I for nothing but the New York banks, and was
regardless of the financial interest of the rest OF
] the country. When the New York banks were
4 lacking funds the Treasury Department had
DO doubt about the legality of the law author
| iZing the purchase Of bonds.
Senator Beck stated that he did not propose
! to enter upon debate in regard to the Presi-
/ dents policy at this time, but there were some
/ things which the country ought to know In
connection with the statements of the Senator
! from Kansas. One is, that the policy of the
/ Republican party, by imposing and maintain
/ ing unnecessarily high taxation, has caused the
present surplus to be piled up in the Treasury,
and they seem determined to hold it there OF
! waste it upon some pet schemes which they
may be able to devise. The Senator proceeded
1 TO produce arguments which sustained this
proposition and concluded with the charge
that the Republicans are responsible for all tht
evils arising from contraction of the currency
| and for the vast surplus now held by the Gov.
! eminent.
4 general discussion ensued IN which Sena-
! tor Plumb continued his attacks upon the ad.
I ministrations financial policy. He was aided
/ by the Republican Senator'S and the Democratic
/ Senators defended the Presidents course. a
the conclusion the resolution was concurred in
1 By vote Of 81 TO I9.
! THURSDAY Dec. %.
Senator Mitchell presented memorials from
! the Legislature Of Oregon praying Congress Il
! forfeit the unearned lands heretofore granted
TO railroads in Oregon, and that such forfeiture
be made as speedily as possible.
Senator Dolph called up the joint resolution
/ proposing an amendment TO the Constitution
and empowering Congress to legislate upon sub
jects Of marriages and divorces, and prohibit
ing bigamy and polygamy. He supported hi
resolution with speech setting forth the evil
Of the present laws and unsatisfactory syster
of regulating marriages and divorces in tn
country.
In the House the time was taken up wit
the introduction of bills.
Both bodies adjourned until Wednesday
Jan. 1, 1855.